Research on viral diseases and the response to them. Covers Ebola and mpox, diagnostics, post-viral fatigue, and outbreak control strategies.
Researchers found that wild plants with multiple viral infections remained healthy, suggesting a cooperative role for the microbe. The viruses were passed from plants to their offspring through seeds and may play a beneficial role in plant life, making them more resilient to extreme temperatures and drought.
Aravind Asokan, assistant professor of genetics at UNC School of Medicine, received the award for his significant contributions to gene therapy. His lab developed a synthetic viral toolkit to unravel viral infectious pathways and produce novel vectors for gene therapy.
A new research methodology uses network theory to identify outbreaks of unidentified diseases, providing a promising tool for predicting and preventing pandemic diseases. The method analyzed data from 125 outbreak reports and showed distinct patterns for emerging diseases like Nipah virus, allowing for probable diagnoses.
A CU-Boulder study found that ponds with diverse amphibian species have a 78% reduction in parasitic infections, which can cause severe deformities. Greater biodiversity also appears to protect against other diseases, such as Lyme disease and West Nile virus.
Scientists have discovered a long-running conflict between SAR11 bacteria and viruses that constantly kill them off. The ongoing battle affects the planet's carbon cycle and has significant implications for ocean biology.
Scientists at Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and TWINCORE are studying patient samples to find biomarkers for infectious diseases. The new antibiotic GSK1322322 targets gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA, with minor adverse effects in Phase I clinical trials.
A team at Vienna University of Veterinary Medicine found the same strain of Usutu virus in dead blackbirds in Italy in 1996 as in Austria's cases. This suggests the virus was present in Italy before reaching Europe, and forensic pathology can help unravel origins of emerging diseases.
The NIH is sponsoring three clinical trials to test new treatments for influenza, including oseltamivir, combination antiviral drugs and plasma enriched with anti-influenza antibodies. The trials aim to improve treatment options for people with severe illness or chronic health conditions.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine found that Mary Ingalls likely suffered from viral meningoencephalitis, which caused her blindness, rather than scarlet fever. The study analyzed historical records and Laura Ingalls' memoirs to reach this conclusion.
Scientists at Imperial College London have discovered a new way to treat Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections in children. By boosting the accumulation of T cells and selectively attracting regulatory T cells, they aim to reduce inflammation and fight infection.
A new study suggests that healthcare providers may need to wear fitted respirators for routine care of flu patients due to the high infectiousness of some individuals. The researchers found that small particles can float in the air for hours and travel long distances, making non-fitted masks ineffective.
A study found that 26% of influenza patients released virus into the air during routine care, with some 'super-emitters' transmitting more than 32 times more virus. Current infection control recommendations may not be adequate to protect providers from influenza exposure.
Researchers have discovered a link between West Nile virus in mosquitoes and birds, as well as the insects' ability to spread the virus to horses and people. Habitats with high disease prevalence in horses and birds also have more mosquitoes and certain bird species, which contribute to the transmission of the virus.
Sang-Moo Kang receives a $3.4 million NIH grant to develop virus-like particle vaccines for flu and RSV, aiming to create safer vaccines for young children, elderly people, and those with compromised immune systems.
Researchers have identified a key protein, IFITM3, in T-cells that provides resistance to influenza. Increasing the production of these resistant T-cells could lead to longer-lasting immunity.
The international collaboration found that 20-27% of people studied were infected during the first year of circulation, with higher rates in children and lower rates in older adults. The study estimated that up to a quarter of the world's population may have been infected.
A study published in PNAS reveals that dengue fever transmission is driven by human movement within residential networks. The research found that people visiting friends and relatives in nearby homes were the main driver of rapid transmission. This finding has implications for disease surveillance and control.
Researchers at NIH and OHSU found that an experimental Ebola vaccine elicits antibodies that protect nonhuman primates from Ebola virus infection. The study's results showed that antibodies induced by the vaccine appeared to be critical to protecting the animals, while immune cells had a minimal role.
The IFIT protein recognizes foreign viral RNA and blocks viral infections by acting as a defender molecule. The discovery reveals the molecular mechanism behind how IFIT proteins capture only the viral RNA and distinguish it from normal molecules belonging to the host.
Researchers developed methods to synthesize and change the Schmallenberg virus genome, identifying a gene that protects the virus against the immune response. The study found that viruses missing this gene caused less sickness in mice, suggesting potential for new vaccines.
Researchers have observed the detailed changes in a virus's structure as it infects an E. coli bacterium, providing new insights into the viral infection process. The study reveals that the virus extends its ultra-thin fibers to find an optimal site for infection and ejects its genetic material through the host cell membrane.
Researchers at Duke University developed a genomic signature to diagnose flu and staph infections, distinguishing between infected and uninfected individuals with high accuracy. This approach could lead to earlier diagnoses, reduced antibiotic misuse, and improved treatment decisions.
A recent study found that many teenagers who received a complete hepatitis B vaccine series as infants can still contract the virus, especially if they have high-risk mothers or weak immune systems. Researchers suggest that a booster shot at age 15 may be necessary to prevent reinfection.
A meta-analysis of 67 studies confirmed IL28B polymorphisms impact natural HCV clearance and PEG-IFN/RBV treatment response. Favourable genotypes equated to more than double the probability of achieving sustained virologic response, supporting personalized medicine approaches.
Researchers from FIGHT-MG project discover that a viral molecule can trigger an inappropriate immune response, causing muscular function to deteriorate. The study provides proof of concept that a viral infection can cause auto-immune myasthenia, a rare disease characterized by muscular weakness and exhaustion.
A Cornell University computer model predicts chikungunya outbreaks in NYC during August-September 2013, Atlanta from June-September, and year-round in Miami. The virus is transmitted by Asian tiger mosquitoes, which are rising in numbers due to climate change.
New research shows that elderly individuals mount normal immune responses to virus infections, retaining T cell functionality. This finding has important implications for vaccination strategies in the elderly.
Researchers discovered a mechanism by which Ebola virus alters and evades the immune response of its infected host. The secreted protein can selectively drive induction of antibody responses to itself while competing for antibodies to the viral surface protein, enabling repeated or sustained infection.
A new study published in BMJ Open found that high-dose vitamin D supplementation reduced symptoms of respiratory tract infection by almost a quarter and antibiotic use by nearly half in patients with frequent infections. However, the treatment had no significant impact on otherwise healthy individuals.
A new study suggests that human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in older women may represent reactivation of the virus, rather than a new infection. Nearly 90% of HPV infections were detected in women with multiple lifetime sexual partners, highlighting the need for further research on HPV persistence and reactivation.
Scientists at the University of Exeter discovered a new way viruses evolve to switch their behavior in response to other viruses infecting a host. This means that even with manipulation, viruses will always adapt to serve their own purposes and cause maximum destruction.
A new coronavirus, hCoV-EMC, has been linked to severe disease in humans and can infect cells from various bat species and pigs. The virus uses a different receptor than SARS, but its ability to transmit between animals and humans repeatedly remains uncertain.
Infants with severe RSV disease may have a dysfunctional innate immune response that relates to the severity of their disease. Immune monitoring could help identify children at high-risk for severe disease, and may lead to the use of immune stimulant drugs to reverse innate immune suppression.
Scientists have identified an 'immune system kill switch' that triggers the destruction of blood stem cells in response to severe stress, such as chemotherapy or systemic infections. Blocking this internal signal could prevent death after chemotherapy and boost recovery from infection.
Researchers identified evidence of immune system involvement in autism development through novel genome analysis approaches, supporting a common molecular physiology behind the condition. Viral infection pathways were found most important in this immune-related mechanism, potentially affecting brain development.
The adult antiviral drug tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (tenofovir DF) has been found to be safe and effective in treating adolescents with hepatitis B virus (HBV), with a virologic response rate of 89% in pediatric participants. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence on the management of chronic HBV in children and teens.
Scientists warn of a growing threat from emerging zoonotic diseases as human activities such as land use change, globalization, and social upheaval drive their emergence. The disease burden can be eased by combining efforts between clinicians and public health officials to address the ecological drivers of transmission.
Emerging infectious diseases can be split into two types: introduced and locally emerging. Introduced diseases often cause a spike in infections, while locally emerging diseases show a steady increase. Climate change is not a major driving force behind emerging diseases.
A new study reveals how Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) co-opts cells' abilities to repair themselves, leading to preferential repair of the viral genome. The research, published in PLOS Pathogens, shows that HCMV-infected cells can efficiently repair their own DNA but not the viral DNA, with implications for developing antiviral therapies.
A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals that human stem cells are resistant to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a leading cause of congenital intellectual disability and deafness. The research findings suggest that HCMV infection distorts cell differentiation, leading to impaired brain maturation and intellectual ability.
The US Preventive Services Task Force has updated its recommendations for hepatitis C screening in asymptomatic adults. The new guidelines suggest that targeted screening may be beneficial, as up to two-thirds of infected patients are missed by routine screening methods. However, there is currently no direct evidence that screening imp...
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute describe the structure and function of influenza's ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex, which is essential for viral replication. The study provides new insights into the flu virus's vulnerabilities, including a shape-change during gene transcription and key interactions between proteins.
Researchers used ribosome-mapping technique to investigate HCMV's proteome, discovering hundreds of previously unidentified proteins and exceptionally short protein sequences. These findings provide new understanding of how the virus manipulates human cells during infection.
A new strain of avian pox has been identified in British bird species, particularly affecting great tits. The disease causes severe growths that can prevent feeding and increase predation susceptibility, with survival rates significantly reduced.
A novel coronavirus most closely related to viruses found in bats has been identified, prompting concern over potential human transmission. The virus is believed to have originated from an animal source, with similarities to viruses isolated from Asian and European bat species.
Two new research projects have been awarded £12.2 million in funding to tackle Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus and emerging poultry viruses. The projects will focus on developing novel solutions for disease control, including the use of weakened viruses to prompt an immune response.
Researchers compare three immunoassay methods to detect EBV infection in patients with mononucleosis or immunosuppressed adult liver transplant recipients. The study suggests that molecular tests identifying early protein markers may have value for diagnosing active infection.
Researchers found that severe disease risk is mainly age-related, not due to lack of immunity. Vaccinating families or vaccinating pregnant women can extend protection to infants, reducing RSV infection. The study highlights the potential for alternative strategies to traditional baby vaccines.
A team of immunologists found that the flu virus alters host immune systems, compromising its capacity to effectively fight off bacterial infections. The molecule TLR7 recognizes viral genomes and signals scavenger cells to ingest fewer bacteria, leading to increased risk of superinfections.
Research on emerging tick-borne diseases reveals an expanding list of illnesses, including babesiosis and encephalitis-causing infections. The range of these diseases is growing, posing a threat to human health in the northeast United States.
Researchers found that intravaginal immunization significantly increased immune cells in the vaginal mucosa, enhancing local immune response. This site-specific vaccination technique may be useful in developing effective STD vaccines.
A new equine vaccine, Equivac HeV, has been developed to prevent clinical disease caused by Hendra virus in horses. The vaccine, derived from the original work of Christopher C. Broder and Katharine Bossart, is now available for use in Australia.
A new study found that over 80% of flu-positive pigs showed no signs of illness, highlighting the risk of transmission between pigs and humans. The research also identified genetic similarities between human and pig viruses, confirming interspecies transmission.
Researchers identified two cell receptors, TIM and TAM, essential for the Dengue virus to enter cells. Inhibiting these receptors reduces infection and provides a new therapeutic strategy.
Researchers identified molecular pathways involved in both systemic and arthritic components of SJIA, revealing differences in affected organs. The study found that glucocorticoid signalling was more heavily involved in inflammation associated with SJIA, highlighting the need for tailored treatment plans.
Treating chronic hepatitis C with antiviral drugs could reduce liver cancer risk by half, according to a meta-analysis of published research. In some cases, treatment can even prevent the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer worldwide.
Researchers found that viruses work together to break down plant defenses, causing more severe disease. This phenomenon has important implications for controlling these viruses.
A new Ebola virus study demonstrates a proof-of-concept for using monoclonal antibodies to prevent lethal disease in rhesus macaques. The plant-based production method offers potential for an economical and effective medical countermeasure.
Researchers found that common polymorphisms in the T2R38 gene were correlated with the incidence of bacterial sinus infections, demonstrating a genetic link to individual differences in respiratory infection susceptibility. In companion pieces, studies on PSD-95 expression and progranulin deficiency shed light on potential therapeutic ...
A randomized controlled trial of 377 premature infants found no significant differences in clinical outcomes between fresh and standard red blood cell transfusions. The study suggests that prolonged RBC storage may not have as great an impact on neonatal illness and death as previously thought.